Check writer



L. M. TODD.

CHECK WRITER.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23. 1917.

1 ,364:,963. Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

2 SHEET SSHEET I- LEANUS M22200 [XV/1170A.

FHA TTO/h-V/i Y L. M. TODD. CHECK wmmz.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 23, 191?.

1,364,963. Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2'- k {REE 7 [NI/EN TOR.

H75 .4 fro A NE V UNITED STATES PATENT OFFECE.

LIBANUSM. TODD, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO TODD PROTECTOGRAPHCOMPANY, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A COREORATION OF NEW YORK.

CHECK-WRITER.

.{kpplication filed April 23, 1917.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LIBANUS M. Toni), of Rochester, in the county ofMonroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Check-lVriters; and I do hereby declare the following tobe a full, clear, and exact description of the same, such as will enableany person skilled in the art to which the invention appertains to makeand use the same.

The present invention relates to printing apparatus and moreparticularly to a variety of hand stamp adapted for printing legendsupon checks and other commercial papers and commonly known as a checkwriter.

One object of the invention is to provide a convenient machine of theclass described, having few and simple parts and which will be reliablein operation and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object of the invention is to pro vide a .machine of the classdescribed, in which the usual automatic mechanism for feeding the workis replaced by a simple and manually operated mechanism foraccomplishing this operation.

These and other objects of the invention are fully described in thefollowing specification, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings forming a part thereof and illustrating one embodiment of theinvention, in which- Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine.

Fig. 3 is a similar view partly broken away to show the feedingmechanism and other interior parts.

Fig. 4: is a sectional elevation substantially on the line 14 of Fig. 3,with portions broken away to show interior parts.

Fig. 5 is a detail view showing the pawls and ratchet for actuating thefeeding mechamsm.

Fig. 6 is a detail view showing the pawl springs for the feedingmechanism.

Fig. 7 is a detail view showing a spring detent for the feedingmechanism.

Fig. 8 is a detail view of the presser roll device for holding the work.

Fig. 9 is a side elevation of the machine partly broken away,illustrating a modified form of feeding mechanism.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises a casing for inclosingand sup- Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

Serial No. 163,901.

porting the operating parts, having preferably a lower base portion 10and an upper portlon v11, partially separated from the lower baseportion to form a work receiving slot 12 above a bed 13 on the baseportion '10 for supportingthe work.

A platen lever 14:, Fig. 3, is supported for a rocking movement in avertical plane by a shaft 15 journaled at its ends in the side walls ofthe base portion of the casing. The forward end of this lever isprovided with a head 16 in which is firmly supported in any convenientmanner a platen 17 in the form of a bar, the upper side of which formsan impression surface. The work bed 13 is provided with a slot (notshown) through which this platen bar 17 is adapted to be raised forimpressing the-work against the type forms in the casing above, in theposition shown in Fig. 3. The rearend ofplaten lever 14 has pivotallyconnected thereto at 18 a link 19 (Fig. 9) which is pivoted at 20 at itsupper end to a crank plate 21 fixedly pinned to a shaft 22 rotatablyjournaled at its ends in the side walls of the rear of the upper portionof the casing. This shaft 22 is the main operating shaft for theimpressing mechanism and extends without the casing at one side thereofand has fixed thereon an operating crank 23, carrying at its end anoperating handle 24. In order to normally maintain the platen in loweredposition, there is provided. a spring 25 coi ed about the shaft 22 andbearing at its ends against the crank plate21 and the rear of thecasing.

It will now be apparent that under the action of this spring. the platenis normally held in retracted position with the operating handle 24 inraised or initial position and that when the handle24 is swung forwardlyand downwardly, the mechanism described will serve to raise the platenthrou h the printing bed and press the work against the type forms inthe casing above, which will now be described.

Journaled" at its ends in the side wa ls of the upper forward portion ofthe casing is a shaft 26 having fixed thereon a type carrier or wheel 27provided on its periphery with a plurality of separate type forms 28,extending side by side in spaced relation parallel with each other andwith the axis of the type wheel.

The present embodiment of the invention is herein shown as adapted forprinting upon checks, drafts and similar commercial papers, the exactamount for which such papers are drawn and expressed in words, as forexample Twenty one dollars seventeen cents. To this end the type forms28 on the type wheel include a series of forms, each of which comprisesthe letters for printing a complete word expressing one of a range ofnumbers, as One, Two, Three, etc these numbers being adapted forcombination to express any desired monetary value within certain limits.There is also provided on the type wheel a type form for printing a lineof stars, or other conventional limiting mark, to prevent the fraudulentaddition of words at the beginning of a written amount. Also type formsare provided for printing the words Hundred, Dollars and Cents and anyother characters which it may be desired to employ in this manner forprinting a wider range of amounts or amounts expressed in differentdenominations.

()ne end of the type wheel shaft 26 is extended beyond the side of thecasing and has fixed thereto a knob 29. conveniently formed for manuallyturning or setting the type wheel so as to bring the desired type formsselectively and successively into printing position. at the lower sideof the wheel above the work bed 13. In order to indicate the position ofrotary adjustment of the type wheel, or in other words, to show which ofthe type forms is in printing position, there is provided an indicatingdevice, comprising a dial 30, Fig. 1, formed on the periphery of one endof the type wheel and. having thereon figures and other suitable symbolsfor representing the respective type forms. these symbols on the dialbeing so arranged with reference to the type forms that when any giventype form is in the printing position described, its correspondingsymbol shows between the points 31 of the indicating finger fixed on theside of the casing and projecting adjacent the dial which is clearlyvisible through an opening 33 provided in the casing for this purpose.

In order to maintain the shaft 26 against endwise movement in itsbearings in the casing and also to simplify assembling, the shaft 26 isreduced at its left end where it passes through the casing in order toform a shoulder bearing against the inside of the casing. Fastened tothe reduced end of the shaft outside of the casing is a cap piece 35resting against the casing. the cap piece and shoulder on the shaftcooperating to limit endwise movementof the shaft in both directions.

To center and hold. the type wheel with the selected type form inaccurate printing position, there is provided a bracket 36. Figs. -.land9, loose on the shaft 26 and held against rotation on the shaft by meansof a screw 37, this bracket being formed with a substantiallycylindrical chamber 38 having fitted therein a ball 39. A spring 10,pressing against the upper end of the chamher and against the ball,urges the latter outwardly into engagement with an annular series ofcentering notches ll formed on the inner surface of a flange projectingat one end of the type wheel. These notches are so placed with referenceto the corresponding type forms on the periphery of the type wheel, thatwhen a given type form is moved approximately to printing position, theball 39 is pressed by its spring into a corresponding notch and servesto draw the selected type form accurately to printing position and holdit in this position.

The means for inking the type forms comprises an ink roll 42, Fig. 3,journaled on a stud 13, fixed on and extending horizontally from abracket 41:4, pivotally supported on a spindle e5, carried by a bracket46, which in turn is fixed on a cover plate 47. The latter is pivotallysupported on the casing at 13 so as to close an opening 19 formed in theupper wall of the casing, a finger piece 50 being provided forconvenience in raising the cover plate and inking roll for obtainingaccess to the latter to clean or ink it. A spring 51 is provided,bearing against the cover plate and against a lug 52 on the bracketso-as to urge the inking roll into position to contact with the type,when the cover plate is closed, during the rotation of the type wheel.The ink roll is, for the sake of convenience, readily removable from thefree end of the stud. 43.

The printing faces of the type and the impression surface of the platenmay be corrugated or otherwise formed so that the fibers of the paperwill be disrupted and in condition to readily absorb the printing inkfrom the type faces and to become thoroughly impregnated thereby. Theprinting is thus incorporated into the body of the paper itself andthereby made more diiiicult of erasure. A suitable construction for thispurpose is disclosed in my prior Letters Patent of the United States,No. 793,2 granted June 27, 1905, so that a detailed de scription thereofis unnecessary herein.

The feeding mechanism preferably eludes one or more rotary feed wheelsFig. a pair of such wheels being shown in the present case as carried bythe hub 5 1, fixedly pinned on the shaft journaled in the frame work ofthe base portion of the casing. These feed wheels 53 project slightly atthe tops of their peripheries through slots provided for that purpose.in the printing bed 13 so as to engage the under side of the work.

Fixed to the casing above the work slot is a bracket 56, Figs. 3 and 8,having extensions 57 carrying" a' spindle 58. Pivotally supported on thespindle 58 is a lever 59, having at one end a convenient finger piece 60and at its other end a pair of spaced lugs 61, carrying a spindle 62. Journaled on this spindle is a pair of presser rolls 63 adapted to bearagainst the upper side of the work and hold the same in contact with thefeed wheels 53. One or both of these sets of rolls may be knurled toassistin gripping the work. A spring 6% is coiled about the spindle 58and serves to urge the presser rolls 63 downwardly against the work. Aslight pressure on the finger piece 60 serves, however, to raise therolls 63 to permit the insertion or removal of the work.

The means for actuating the feed wheels include a member or lever 65pivotally mounted on a stud 66 projecting outwardly from the side wallof the casing. (Figs. 2 and 3.) The lever 65 extends parallel with theside of the casing and has its forward end shaped to form a finger piece67 extending forwardly and outwardly from the easing so as to be readilyaccessible. The rear id of this lever carries a bracket 68 pivotallysupported thereon by means of a pin 69 and provided with a pair ofspaced lugs 70. Pivotally supported by these lugs are a pair ofdepending pawls or racks 71 and 72, Figs. 3 and 5. The pawl 71 has fixedin its lower end a stud 73 which extends loosely through a slot 74 inpawl 72 and is provided *ith a head so that each of these pawls isguided at its lower end by the other through the action of the stud 73.Fixed to the side of the casing is a spring clip 75, Figs. 4 and 6,having a pair of resilient fingers 76 extending inwardly and bearingagainst the outer edges respectively of the pawls 71 and 72, so as tohold each pawl with its toothed edge in engagement with the ratchetwheel 77. fixed on the shaft 55.

It may be seen by reference to Fig. 5, that the teeth of pawls 71 and 72are relatively staggered so that each tooth on pawl 72 is opposite themiddle of the interval between the teeth on the pawl 71; thus but one ofthese pawls is in actuating mesh with the ratchet wheel at a time, butthe staggered arrangement of the teeth serves to provide teeth forengagement with. the ratchet at one-half the interval between the teethon either pawl'alone, this in effect producing teeth of a finer pitchthan could be provided in practical construction. and serving to decrease the extent of any lost motion between the ratchet and the pawlswhen the latter are moved to engage and move the ratchet.

A second spring clip 7 8, Figs. 3 and 7, is fixed to the bottom of theprinting bed and is provided with resilient fingers 79 which engage theteeth of the ratchet wheel 77 to serve as a detent to prevent reverserotation of the shaft 55. Fingers 79 are offset relatively to each other1n the same manner and for the same purpose as in the case of the teethof pawls 71 and 72. It will be noted that as the bracket 68 is supportedfor pivotal movement in the plane of the lever 65, and the pawls 71 and72 are supported for swinging movement in a plane at right angles to theplane of movement of the bracket, there is thus formed, substantially, auniversal joint which insures an unrestricted vertical movement of thepawls under the actuation of the lever 65.

A spring 80 2) coiled about the stud 66, is attached at one end to thecasing and bears at its other end upon the lever 65 so as to hold thelatter yieldingly with its finger piece 67 in raised position. "When thefinger piece is manually depressed, it will be apparent that the pawls71 and 72 are raised, without turning the ratchet wheel. 77, intoposition for rotating the latter however, under actuation of the spring80 when the finger piece 67 is released.

The releasing of the finger piece therefore permits the springSO torotate shaft 55 and the feed wheels 53 fixed thereon, the latter servingto feed the work which is held in engagement with their peripheries bythe presser rolls 63. In this manner the work is fed between theprinting members, in the direction of the reading line, between theprinting impressions for the purpose of providing a new space for eachimpression.

As the words printed are of varying length,

as for instance, the words One and Seventeen, it is necessary to controlthe extent of rotation of the feeding wheels in connection with eachimpression in accord-- ance with the length of the particular workimpressed and the means for this purpose will now be described.

The cap or hub 35, fixed on the exterior end of shaft 26, has fixedthereon a gage plate or disk 82 having in its periphery a plurality ofshoulders or stops extending varying radial distances from the centershaft 26. Each one of these shoulders or stops corresponds with one ofthe type forms and its radial distance from the center of shaft 26 isinversely proportional to the length of its respective type form; thatis to say, for the longer typo forms, such. for instance as that forprinting the word Seventeen, there are provided stops. at lesser radialdistances from the shaft and vice versa. Cobpcrating with the shouldersof the gage 82 is finger 83, (Figs. 3 and l), projecting above the gageand guided for vertical movement toward and from the latter byengagement in the slot 8 1 formed in the casing. This finger 83 projectsfrom the plate 85, which has formed in its center portion. an elongatedslot- 86 engaging about the cap 85. fixed on the shaft 26, so as to beguided during its vertical movement by the cap. The lower end of plate85 is provided with an extension 87 in which is fixed a small stud orpin 88, engaging a slightly elongated opening in the lever so thatduring the reciprocation of the latter, the plate is given a guidedvertical movement by the lever. Upon the depression of lever 65, thefinger S3 is moved downwardly into engagement with the stop shoulder ofthe gage corresponding to the particular type form in printing position,thus limiting the downward movement of lever 65, and consequently theupward setting movement of the pawls 71 and 72, and thus controlling theextent to which the feed wheels are rotated upon release of theactuating lever, as the latter, upon its release and subsequent ascent,comes to a fixed position, determined by the contact of the lever withthe cap 35. Thus if a short word, such as One is brought to printingposition and impressed upon the paper, and the lever 65 then depressed,finger 83 engages with one of the higher stop shoulders of the gage andthereby limits the reciprocating movement of the actuating lever 65 andcontrols the extent of rotation of feed wheels 53 so that the work isfed a small distance in accordance with the short length of the wordprinted. If, however, one of the longer words has been selected forprinting, the gage 82 has thereby been set or adjusted so that thefinger 88 strikes one of the lower stops of the gage, which permits agreater movement of the lever 65 id consequently a greater rotation ofthe feed wheel 5 For the purpose of assisting in the location of thework in the work receiving slot so that an impression will be made onthe desired line of the work, there is provided a pair of spacel lugs 89projecting upwardly through slots in the printing bed from a slidingplate 90 loosely supported against the lower side of the printing bedand manually adjustable to different distances from the front of themachine, so that the lugs 89 may be adjusted to serve guides during theinsertion of the work and to keep the latter moving in a straight lineduring the feeding movement. The means whereb the plate 90 is adjustablyheld is not shown and described herein as any one of a number of devicesknown in the art for permitting such sliding adjustment may he used.

To inclose and protect parts of the feeding mechanism there is provideda guard 91 fixed to the upper portion of the casing, as best seen inFig. 2. Also to as ist in retaining the plate 85 in proper workingposition there is formed on the plate a lug 92 (Figs. 3 and 4-), which,during the slid ing movement of the plate, is in contact with the innersurface of the guard 91.

The operation of the machine will be clea from a brief explanation 1nconnection with the above description of its construction. The fingerpiece 60 having been depressed to raise the presser rolls and the workhaving been located in the machine, with its edge against the guide lugs89, and in position to receive the impression of the first character,the type wheel is then adjusted by means of the knob 29 and with the aidof the indicating device, to bring the initial type form to printingposition. This setting of the type wheel, as explained, also sets thegage 82 to control the feeding movement. The operating handle is thenpulled forwardly, thereby straightening the toggled link 19, rocking theplaten lever, and raising the platen so as to press the work against thetype term above, which has been inked during the setting movement of thetype wheel by the inking roller 42. The operating lever is then releasedand spring 25 retracts the platen, freeing the work for the feedingoperation, which is produced by e tn actuation of the finger piece 67 oflever The rocking of this lever sets the pawls to a position controlledby contact of finger 83 with gage 82, and upon release of finger piece6? spring 80 returns actuating lever 65 to initial position, and thepawls 71 and 72 rotate the ratchet wheel 77 and feed wheels 53, thusadvancing the work the proper distance. The next word is then selectedand impressed in the same manner until the entire legend has beenprinted upon the paper, after whivh the finger piece 60 is depressed torelease the work, which is then withdrawn witli the desired legendimpressed thereon.

A] modified form of construction of the feeding mechanism is illustratedin connection with 9. In this construction the shaft 93, carrying thefeed wheels 53, is extended forwardly through the front of the lowerportion of the casing and is there provided with a knob 94 suitable forrotation by hand to rotate the feeding wheels and feed the work. In thisform of construction the gage for determining the extent of feed isomitted and the extent of feeding movement is determined directly bysight, the printing point being partially visible from the left side ofthe machine so that the work may be fed until the last word printed iscarried out of printing position and a new space provided at the properinterval for the next word. The same form of presser rolls for the workand means for raising the same are provided as in the preferred construetion. The type wheel shaft 26 in this construction is held againstendwisc movement in the casing by a retaining plate 81. secured to thecasing and formed to engage in a locking the shaft in position.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is 1. In a printing apparatus, a type carrierprovided with a plurality of type forms of varying lengths and a platencommon to said forms, means for determining the type form to be printedfrom and effecting a relative movement of the type carrier and platen toprint, a gage movable as an incident to determining the type form to beprinted from, a differentially rotatable work feeding wheel, a manuallyoperated member and actuating connection between said member and thefeeding wheel, and a device connected to the manually operable memberand cooperating with the aforesaid gage to differentially limit theextent of rotation of the feeding wheel.

2. In a printing apparatus, a type wheel movable to bring a plurality oftype forms of varying length, selectively, to printing position, aplaten for individual cooperation with said type forms; operating meansfor effecting a relative impressing movement of said type wheel andplaten; a gage movable with said type wheel; a rotary feed wheel; apivotally mounted member provided with a finger piece for manualoperation; an actuating connection between said pivotally mounted memberand said feed wheel; and a device connected with said pivotally mountedmember and cooperating with said gage for controlling the extent ofrotation of said feed wheel according to the length of the type formprinted.

3. In a printing apparatus, a type. wheel rotatable to bring any one ofa plurality of type forms of varying lengths to printing position, aplat-en cooperating with the form at said position, means for effectinga relative printing movement of the type wheel and platen, a gageadjustableto different positions by turning the type wheel, a rotaryfeed wheel, a manually operable pivoted lever, an actuating connectionbetween the pivoted lever and the feed wheel, and means carried by thepivoted lever and cooperating with the aforesaid gage for de terminingthe extent of rotation of the feed wheel.

4. In a printing apparatus, a type wheel rotatable to bring any one of aplurality of type forms of varying lengths to a common printingposition, a platen cooperating with the form at said printing position,means for effecting relative printing movement of the type wheel andplaten, a gage movable as an incident to rotating the type wheel, a differentially rotatable work feeding wheel, a manually operable centrallypivoted lever, an actuating connection between said pivoted lever andthe feed wheel, and a device connected to the lever and cooperating withthe aforesaid gage to limit the movement of the lever in one directionwhereby to regulate the extent of movement imparted to the feed wheel.

5. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a type carrieradjustable to bring a plurality of type forms of varying lengthsselectively to printing position, a platen cooperating with the typeform at said position, means for elfecting a relative printing movementof the type carrier and platen, a gage set by adjustment of the typecarrier, a rotary work feeding wheel, a manually operable element, meanswhereby the gage clifferentially limits the extent of movement of themanually operable element, and connec tions for transmitting thedifferential movement of said element to the work feeding wheel.

6. In a printing apparatus, the combina tion of a type carrieradjustable to bring a plurality of type forms of varying lengthsselectively to printing position, a platen cooperating with the typeform at said position, means for operating the platen to takeimpressions from the type at said position, a gage movable with and inaxial alinement with the type carrier, a difierentially rotatable workfeeding wheel, a manually operable lever, means cooperating with thegage for dilferentially limiting movement of the manually operableelement and connections including a ratchet and pawl for trans mittingsaid differential movements to the rotary worl: feeding device.

7. In a printing machine, a rotatable work feeding wheel, a ratchetwheel rigid therewith, a manually operable member, a pair of rackscarried by the manually operable member and cooperating with the ratchetwheel the teeth of the two racks be ing staggered with reference one tothe other to permit engagement of either but not both with the ratchet.

8. In a printing machine, rotatable work feeding wheel, ratchet wheelrigid therewith, a manually operable member. a pair of racks carried themanually operable member and cooperating with the ratchet wheel, theteeth of the two racks being staggered with reference one to the otherto permit engagement of either but not both with the ratchet, and aretaining device cooperating with said ratchet and having ratchetengaging portions offset with reference to each other whereby to permitengagement of either but not both portions with the ratchet.

9. In a printing apparatus, a type carrier provided with a plurality oftype forms of varying lengths and a platen common to said forms, meansfor effecting relative movements of the type carrier and platen todetermine the type term to be printed from and to print from thedetermined torm. a gage movable as an incident to determining the typeform to be printed from, an element differentially movable in engagementwith the work to feed the work between the type carrier and platen, amanually operable member and connections for actuating said work feedingelement, and ears moving with the manually operable member andcooperating with the aforesaid ige limit diiierentially the movements ofthe member and work feeding element.

10. In a printing apparatus, a type wheel movable to bring a pluralityof type forms of varying lengths, selectively, to printing position, aplaten for individual cooperation h said type forms, operating means forrelative impressing movement of the ty e wheel and platen, a gagemovable 1 said type wheel, element movable in einent with the work tofeed the work 1 the type wheel and platen, a movable member providedwith a linger-piece for manual operation, an actuating con- 11 betweensaid member and said teedent, and a device actuated by the operablemember and cooperating gage for controlling the extent of it of the"feeding element according ength off the type "form printed from. A zprinting apparatus, the combi- 1 with a'type carrier provided with neforms of various lengths and a platen on to said "forms, of means foreil'ect- 1 at v movements of the type carrier rj' select the type termto be ted from and to print from the selected manually operablemechanism tor 1g the work between the type carrier platen iji twe nimpressions, and a work controlling gage set by the type select- I meanscontrolling the extent of the movements oi said mechanism acto thelengths of the type forms All,

apparatus, the combir p carrier provided with oi? varying lengths and aplaten union said terms, oi means for effect rela' movements of the typecarrier platen to select the type form to be led fro and to print fromthe selected ,1 adjustable as an incident to seting the type form to beprinted from, an element differentially movable in engagement with thework to feed the work between the type carrier and platen, and devicesmanually operable under the control of the gage or effecting thedifferential movements of the work feeding element.

13. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a type carrierprovided with a plurality of type forms of varying lengths and platencommon to said forms, of means for efl'ecting relative movements of thetype carrier and platen to select the type form to be printed from andto print from the selected form, a work feed controlling gageautomatically adjusted in selecting the type form to be printed from, alever manually movable to varying extents depending upon the adjustmentof the gage, and work feeding mechanism connected for actuation by saidlever.

14. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a type carrierprovided with a plurality of type forms of varying lengths and a platencommon to said forms, of hand operated means for effecting relativemovements of the type carrier and platen to select the form to beprinted from, hand operated devices for effecting relative printingmovements of the type carrier and platen, a work feeding gage adjustableto dilierent controlling positions by the type selecting means, and handoperated work feeding mechanism for feeding work between the typecarrier and platen, the movements of said feeding mechanism beingvariably controlled by the work feeding gage.

15. In a printing apparatus, the combination with a platen, of a typecarrier provided 'with type forms of different lengths.

and adjustable to set any desired form opposite the platen, a workfeeding gage provided with feed controlling portions graduated tocorrespond with the lengths of the type forms and adjustable to set anydesired portion at a controlling position, common means for adjustingthe type carrier and gage, means comprising a hand operated member foreffecting relative movements of the type carrier and platen to makeimpressions, and means comprising a hand operated member movable todifferent extents depending upon the portion of the gage in controllingposition for feeding the work between impressions.

LIBANUS M. TODD. Witnesses:

E. H. CUMrs'roN, Jr., T. L. CoUoH.

